Architecture of the spinach plastid-encoded RNA polymerase

Tongtong Wang, Guang-Lei Wang, Ying Fang, Yi Zhang, Wenxin Peng, Yue Zhou, Aihong Zhang, Long-Jiang Yu () and Congming Lu ()
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Tongtong Wang: Shandong Agricultural University
Guang-Lei Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Ying Fang: Shandong Agricultural University
Yi Zhang: Shandong Agricultural University
Wenxin Peng: Shandong Agricultural University
Yue Zhou: Shandong Agricultural University
Aihong Zhang: Shandong Agricultural University
Long-Jiang Yu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Congming Lu: Shandong Agricultural University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: Abstract The plastid-encoded RNA polymerase serves as the principal transcription machinery within chloroplasts, transcribing over 80% of all primary plastid transcripts. This polymerase consists of a prokaryotic-like core enzyme known as the plastid-encoded RNA polymerase core, and is supplemented by newly evolved associated proteins known as PAPs. However, the architecture of the plastid-encoded RNA polymerase and the possible functions of PAPs remain unknown. Here, we present the cryo-electron microscopy structure of a 19-subunit plastid-encoded RNA polymerase complex derived from spinach (Spinacia oleracea). The structure shows that the plastid-encoded RNA polymerase core resembles bacterial RNA polymerase. Twelve PAPs and two additional proteins (FLN2 and pTAC18) bind at the periphery of the plastid-encoded RNA polymerase core, forming extensive interactions that may facilitate complex assembly and stability. PAPs may also protect the complex against oxidative damage and has potential functions in transcriptional regulation. This research offers a structural basis for future investigations into the functions and regulatory mechanisms governing the transcription of plastid genes.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54266-2

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